2025 Mermaid Promenade Registration
May 17, 2025
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The Countdown Starts NOW!
The 8th Annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest is Making Waves this May with A.R.R.R.T!
Get ready, San Marcos!
The most exciting and eco-inspired time of the year is almost here—and in 2025, it’s more meaningful than ever. We’re proud to present the 8th Annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Festival this May, celebrating a major milestone: the 10-Year Anniversary of the Mermaid Society of Texas!
Even better? Every event is free and family-friendly, just in time to welcome the summer season in the heart of the Mermaid Capital of Texas.
More Than a Festival—A Creative Call to Action
The Mermaid Festival is designed as a vibrant, creative platform that brings people together to celebrate everything that makes San Marcos truly one-of-a-kind—from its rich culture and community spirit to its beloved San Marcos River.
This isn’t just a celebration—it’s a movement. One that blends art, music, storytelling, and education to inspire a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship and to empower collective action.
Our River. Our Responsibility.
With the festival’s move from September to May, we’re embracing the energy of peak river season—when the water is flowing, the sun is shining, and outdoor adventures are in full swing. It’s the perfect time to spotlight the importance of protecting our spring-fed river from litter, pollution, and overuse.
The San Marcos River is the soul of our city. This festival is how we honor, celebrate, and protect it—together. Whether you’re a lifelong local or just discovering the magic of San Marcos, everyone has a role to play in caring for this natural treasure.
Why May 17th Is a Big Deal
This year, May 17th brings a powerful alignment. It’s not only the day of our beloved Mermaid Promenade and Aqua Blues Music & Art Festival—it also coincides with National Endangered Species Day, National River Clean-Up Day, and National Recycling Day.
This is a unique opportunity to unite celebration with purpose—to raise awareness, highlight our local endangered species, and inspire our community to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.
Celebrate What Makes San Marcos unique
This festival is your invitation to splash into summer with purpose—to gather as a community, show your river love, and embrace the spirit of stewardship through creativity and joy. It's a chance to lead by example, teach the next generation what it means to care for our environment, and show the world how San Marcans get their Mermaid ON!
Let’s make this a summer to remember—one where we protect what matters most, celebrate what makes us unique, and come together for something greater!
Make Your ARRRT Statement at the Mermaid Promenade!
A.R.R.R.T. — Artivism: Reuse, Recycle, Reimagine for Texas
We’re calling on our vibrant San Marcos community to get creative, get bold, and get eco-fabulous!
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Parade Floats!
We’re challenging all Promenade participants to ARRRT it up by decorating floats using discarded and reused materials — and yes, there will be awards for the most creative and sustainable designs! -
Parade-goers are encouraged to let their creativity shine by designing fashion and accessories made from recycled or repurposed materials. While a mermaid twist is always welcome, your creation can take any form—just let your imagination run wild! Turn soda tabs into tiaras, paper into petals, and bottle caps into bling. This is your moment to make your ARRRT statement and show how style and sustainability can go hand in hand. *Let’s keep our streets and parks beautiful—please avoid materials that could become microtrash.
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Wanna strut your stuff?
Let us know if you want to be a featured participant in the ARRRT Showcase at the Aqua Blues Music and Art Festival — happening immediately following the Promenade at Plaza Park! Show off your eco-fashion creation and join a community celebration of creativity and conservation! -
Be sure to checkout The ARRRT Zone at the Aqua Blues Music and Art Festival - a creative space where imagination takes center stage, and everyone is invited to ARRRTfully play!
Back by popular demand, KVUE’s Hannah Rucker is diving back in as the vibrant Emcee of the Mermaid Promenade Grand Stand! With her contagious energy, joyful spirit, and signature good vibes, Hannah will once again light up the parade and keep the magic flowing. She’ll be joined by the incredible team from KZSM, San Marcos Community Radio, whose mission is to engage, enlighten, and entertain by amplifying the rich diversity of our community. Together, this dynamic duo promises a Promenade experience filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable moments!
May 17th , Noon - 7:00 p.m.
Get ready for a rockin’, soulful, feel-good concert experience that’ll have you dancing into the evening and feeling the rhythm of the blues!
This is one event you won’t want to miss!
We’re thrilled to welcome the legendary Guy Forsyth as the headliner of the Aqua Blues Music & Art Festival, bringing his electrifying energy and powerhouse vocals to the main stage! Joining him is the soul-powered Ace Pepper Group, guaranteed to light up the night with their fiery grooves, and the incomparable Wendy Colonna, whose heartfelt songwriting and velvet voice will stir your soul.
But that’s not all—we’re beyond excited to announce that Blue Water Highway, the beloved local Americana/folk rock band known for their soaring harmonies and magnetic stage presence, will be part of this unforgettable lineup!
Guy Forsyth Band
Austin-based musician, singer, and storyteller Guy Forsyth is a one-of-a-kind American songster whose journey from circus stuntman to musical legend is as eclectic as his sound. Born in Colorado and raised on raw blues, Forsyth rolled into Austin with a bandolier of harmonicas and a voice that could stop traffic on Sixth Street. From humble beginnings busking and playing dive bars, he climbed his way to the top, earning a long-running residency at Antone’s and founding the theatrical and irreverent Asylum Street Spankers. With over 20 albums, international tours, awards like Austin’s Male Vocalist of the Year, and a passion for community through teaching and activism, Forsyth’s music is a soulful blend of grit, humor, and heart. Whether he's performing blues, folk, or leading his latest group, The Hot Nut Riveters, his songs—each crafted with care and storytelling—never fail to move the spirit and body alike. Learn more about - Guy Forsyth
Ace Pepper Group
Ace Pepper plays guitar. Mostly blues/rock music. What's now called "Classic Rock". Although, to him, it's the music he grew up with. The cats he's playing with now are some of the best people and best musicians he's ever played with. They play well together and have a lot of fun.
Wendy Colonna
Wendy Colonna sees music as a mirror for the soul. With over 20 years of experience, nine studio albums, and collaborations with brands like Coca-Cola, her soulful sound has reached audiences worldwide, including tours with legends like The Zombies. Known for her "ethereal" voice (New York Times) and "smoky" and "alluring" presence (Austin Chronicle), Wendy creates transformative connections through her music. “A force of nature” (Austin American-Statesman), Wendy brings power, joy, and magic to every experience.
Blue Water Highway
Blue Water Highway is a local Americana/folk rock band known for their soulful harmony vocals, thoughtful arrangements that blend literary songwriting with catchy hooks, and entertaining live performances. Their sound has been described as an eclectic blend of acts such as The Eagles, Springsteen, and Van Morrison. Formed by two childhood friends, Zack Kibodeaux, and Greg Essington, they have toured nationwide, in France, and the UK, and have opened multiple times for renowned artists such as Bob Seger, Shane Smith and the Saints, and Turnpike Troubadours. In their decade as a band, they’ve released 8 albums, with the 9th, “Waiting on a Wonder,” due in September 2025.
To pay by check, please complete the online entry form below and mail your check to:
Mermaid Society SMTX
P.O. Box 963
San Marcos, Texas 78667
Make check payable to Mermaid Society SMTX.
To make payment online, please choose level of category for participation. Once payment has been made submit your parade registration.